Illuminated sign



' E. P. CHERRY.

ILLUMINATED SIGN. APPLICATION FILED APR.23, 1920.

Patented Sept. 21, 1920.

SwuaMo t UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD P. CHERRY, OF DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF T0 NORMAN N.

CHERRY, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.

ILLUMINATED SIGN.

Specificationof Letters Patent. Patented Sept. 21, 1920.-

Application filed April 23, 1920. Serial No. 375,920.

To all whom it may concern.

and useful Improvement in Illuminated Signs, of which the following is a specification.

The principal object of my invention is to provide an illuminable sign containing countersunk letters that are not only ornamental in appearance, but are so illuminated as to make them stand out prominently in all positions. These letters are so constructed as to require but a minimum'of current for their. illumination, since the light rays are evenly distributed throughout them and are directed upon those parts of the letters that are intended to stand out distinctly.

Other important and incidental objects will be brought. out in the following specification and particularly set forth in the subjoined claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of my improved sign. Fig. 2 is-a cross sectional view taken on the line :c-w of Fig. 1. And Fig. 3 is a view looking forwardly from the inside of the case, toward the light and a letter, the latter showing in a reversed position.

Throughout the specification and drawings, similar reference characters denote corresponding parts.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 designates a preferably rectangular case or box which may be constructed of tin or other suitable metal. countersunk in the face portion of the case '1 are the outlines of letters 2. In Fig. 1 four letters are formed by the countersunk portions of the face of the case 1, viz., F A C E, although any greater or less number of letters may be provided to supply the wording desired for the sign;

Each letter is formed by countersinking its outline in the face portion of the case '1 so that the side walls 3 of the letter are preferably at right angles to its background portion 4. Nithin the side walls of the letter are provided a series of openings or holes 5 through which pass the rays of light emitted by an electric lamp 6 that may be suitably.

secured within the case 1. The holes are uniformly distributed throughout the side walls of the letter so that its background 4 may be made to distinctly show the out-line of the letter when the light passes through said holes. Every part of said background is thus illuminated in a soft and brilliant manner without the aid of a separate reflector.

In the drawings the electric light bulb is received bya socket 7 secured to the tion of the casing 1.

While I have shown an electric lamp as the illuminating means, a gas light or any other illuminating device may be employed without departing from the spirit of the invention. i I i When the lightris turned on, thereof will be evenly distributed top porthe rays throughwalls. Furthermore, the background 4 of the letter will be so illuminated by the rays of light passing through the openings 5 as to make the outline of the letter stand out with particular distinctness and beauty. By one light it is possible so to illumine a large out the-letter by the openings 5 in its side number-of letters, thus effecting a substantial saving in current.

Having described. my 1nvention, I claim: 1. An lllumlnable sign comprising a casing having a countersunk portion in its facefollowing the outline of a letter or character, the side walls of said countersunk portion being at approximately right angles to the background portion of the latter, and a lighting medium within said casing, whose rays shine through a series of openings circumferentially disposed inthe side walls of the countersunk portion for the purpose specified.

2. An illuminable sign comprising a casing having a countersunk portion inits face following the outline of a letter or character, the side walls of said countersunk portion being at right angles to, and integral with, the background portion of the latter, and a lighting medium within said casing back of the letter, whose rays shine through ,a series of openings circumferentially disposed a short distance apart in the side walls of the countersunk specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 19th day of April, 1920.

EDWARD P. CHERRY.

Witness:

' HOWARD S. SMITH.

portion for the purpose 

